Folding table



(No Model.)

J. W. ERNEST. FOLDING TABLE.

No. 565,339. Patented Aug. 4, 1896.

l% 6%MM UNITED STATES PATENT Gr nnin- JUAN IV. ERNEST, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No..565,3 39, dated August 4.-, 1896.

Application filed January 18,1896. Serial No. 575,338. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JUAN W. ERNEST, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to tables; and the object thereof is to provide folding supports for a table which are light and substantial, and which are also adapted to afford a firm and unyielding support when properly adjusted, a further object being to provide a table of this class which is adapted for use in voting-booths, rooms, and compartments, and which is also adapted for use in any and all positions where folding tables are required, and to secure the above and other desirable results, such as cheapness of manufacture, durability, convenience in use, 850.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved table; Fig. 2, a similar view showing the supports folded adjacent thereto; Fig. 3, a bottom plan View of the device as shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 an end view as shown in Fig. 1.

The table A may be composed of a board of suitable length and width or a number of boards secured together, and at each end thereof and at the opposite corners is secured a depending shoulder or projection a, or a crossbar a may be employed for this purpose, and through each of the shoulders or projections a, or to the ends of the cross-bar a is pivoted a leg B, said legs being united by crossbars Z) and pivotally connected with each of the legs B inside thereof, and near the middle thereof are supplemental legs D, which are united by cross-bars d, and the upper end I of each of these supplemental legs D is connected with a cord strap, or chain E,or equivalent device, which is secured to the bottom of the table A, as shown at E It is apparent from the construction describedthat a shorter table need have but two pairs of these legs, the only change from the form shown being to lengthen the cord or strap E, allowing the legs to brace more securely. I also preferably provide a cross bar or brace F, which is secured transversely of the bottom of the table and at the middle thereof, and the ends of the legs B, lapping by the ends of the bar F, as seen in Fig. 3, are thus supported in transit.

The operation will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in 1 connection with the accompanying drawings.

It will be observed that the cross-bars b, by which thelegs B are braced and connected, are secured to the opposite sides thereof, as are also the cross-bars d, by which the legs D are connected, and by reason of this arrangement, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the legs D may be folded within the legs B, and all the legs may then be folded adjacent to the bottom of the table, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the cord or other device E serves, when the legs are in the position shown in Fig. l, to retain the supplemental legs D in proper relation to the legs B, and thus said legs form a substantial and safe support for a table, and

the cord E,fastened ata suitable distance from the bar a prevents the legs from swinging out around the end of the table, and is always taut whether the legs are folded or extended.

Having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A table provided with legs which are pivotally connected with the ends thereof, and near its opposite corners, and supplemental legs pivotally connected therewith, and centrally thereof, the upper ends of said supplemental legs being provided with a cord which is flexibly secured thereto, and also flexibly secured to the bottom of the table, and said pivoted legs, and the supplemental legs pivotally connected therewith, being united by cross-bars which are secured thereto,the crossbars connected with the pivoted legs being arranged on opposite sides thereof, and those connected with the supplemental legs being similarly arranged, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination in a table, of a suitable top to which are pivotally secured near its corners swinging legs, supplemental legs pivotally connected therewith and centrally thereof, the upper ends of said supplemental legs connected with the under side of the table by a cord passing through a staple secured to the table and the end of the cord connected to the upper portions of said supplemental legs to limit the movement when extended and while extending or folding them, said pivoted legs being united in pairs by cross braces or bars secured thereto, and said supplemental legs also united in pairs by cross braces or bars secured thereto, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 10 my invention I have signed my name, in pres ence of the subscribing Witnesses, this 9th day of January, 1896.

JUAN \V. ERNEST.

Witnesses:

0. Guam, L. M. MULLER. 

